25 FUN THINGS TO DO IN COLORADO SPRINGS NEAR U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Introduction

Welcome to your new home in the U.S. Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs. Whether you’re looking for cheap things to do in Colorado Springs, things to do with kids, or things to do in Colorado Springs indoors, there’s something for everyone here and more. There are tons of exciting options for outdoor enthusiasts to explore, as well. The activities and destinations are seemingly endless, but we’ve narrowed down the list to 25 fun things to do in Colorado Springs, CO.

Related read:

USAF Academy: In-Depth Welcome Center

25 Fun Things To Do in Colorado Springs, CO

USAFA Parks, Rivers, & Lakes

1. Outdoor Recreation Complex

5136 Eagle Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-4475 USAFA’s Outdoor Recreation offers plenty of things to do in Colorado Springs, CO. If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, you’ll find it here. There’s the Equestrian Center, FamCamp, Farish Recreation Area, picnic areas, outdoor programs, cycling programs, travel trailer rentals, and much more.

2. Farish Recreation Area

12005 Rampart Range Road USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 687-9098 The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs offers hunting and fishing options through the Farish Recreation Area. The 650-acre paradise in the mountains just west of the academy has lodging facilities, three lakes for fishing for rainbow trout and channel catfish, and hunting to manage the deer, elk, and wild turkey populations.

3. Equestrian Center

7067 Cottonwood Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-4607 The USAFA’s full-service Equestrian Center has 44,000 acres of beautiful space to ride. There are 1,000 acres of trails on base, and the Equestrian Center offers special events and boarding.

4. Garden of the Gods Park

1805 N. 30th St. Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Phone

: 1 (719) 634-6666 The Garden of the Gods Park is a great place to visit when you’re looking for cheap things to do in Colorado Springs. It is beautiful, with Pikes Peak as a backdrop. The park offers easy and cheap access to the area's red sandstone rock formations. There’s also a theater in the park where you can enjoy the Geo-Trekker experience. Visitors to the Garden of the Gods Park can enjoy rock climbing, Jeep and Segway tours, biking through the gardens, and signing up for adventure programs.

5. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

100 Cave of the Winds Road Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Phone

: 1 (719) 685-5444 Most of what you’ll find outside in Colorado Springs is all about elevation, but the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park gives you a chance to explore beneath the Rockies. You can walk all the half-mile cave trails throughout 15 rooms and up nearly 200 stairs.

6. Eagle Peak Trailhead

Pike-San Isabel National Forest 2840 Kachina Drive Pueblo, CO 81008

Phone

: 1 (719) 553-1400 In Pike-San Isabel National Forest, you can take advantage of many hiking options, such as Eagle Peak Trailhead, take a UTV across the terrain, or even cut down your own Christmas tree. For those who enjoy hiking, the 3.6-mile Eagle Peak Trailhead is a great option. It’s rated as a difficult hike, but dogs are able to accompany hikers on the trail. Plus, the waterfall is a big payoff. Note that Eagle Peak Trailhead is generally shown on maps as North Peak.

7. Colorado Horse Park

7522 S. Pinery Drive Parker, CO 80134

Phone

: 1 (303) 841-5550 Colorado Horse Park isn’t your average park. It’s a place that hosts a number of equestrian events, such as top hunter/jumper, dressage, and competitions during three of the four seasons. There are over 100 horses boarded at the Colorado Horse Park facility throughout the year.

8. Plains Conservation Center

21901 E. Hampden Ave. Aurora, CO 80013

Phone

: 1 (303) 326-8380 When looking for Colorado Springs things to do with kids, the Plains Conservation Center is a great educational spot. Visitors to Plains Conservation Center will grow their knowledge and appreciation of the prairie ecosystem of Colorado and learn about the cultural history.

Golf Courses

9. Eisenhower Golf Course

123 Golf Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-2606 On your time off, spend it on the greens! The Eisenhower Golf Course is one of the most popular sites at the academy. There are two 18-hole courses: the Blue Course and the Silver Course. Tee times are recommended for both, especially during the summer months. The clubhouse features The Grill, where you can order breakfast or lunch, a pro shop, and locker rooms. You can rent golf clubs, and power and hand carts are available to rent, as well.

10. Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

3320 Mesa Road Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Phone

: 1 (800) 923-8838 This challenging 27-hole golf course in the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club draws people from all around the Colorado area. The facility has a practice range and greens, a short game practice area, and a full-service golf shop.

USAFA Gyms

11. Fitness and Sports Center

5234 Aspen Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-4522 For rainy or snowy days, the USAFA Fitness and Sports Center is one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs indoors. You can meet all of your daily fitness needs with the latest equipment, exercise classes, intramural sports, and a swimming pool.

USAFA Bowling

12. Academy Lanes

5128 Cathedral Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-4709 Academy Lanes is one of the perfect Colorado Springs things to do with kids. There are 20 computerized lanes with automatic scoring, intramural and varsity bowling leagues, tournaments, and a full lounge with plenty of cocktail, beer, and wine offerings. Parents can reserve lanes for birthday parties or host a retirement affair.

Nearby Attractions

13. Information, Tickets & Travel

5136 Eagle Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 333-7367 There are plenty of things to do in Colorado Springs, CO, and USAFA’s Information, Tickets & Travel can get you discounts to save money while having fun. Talk to the experts to get information about local Colorado attractions, like Clune Arena, SBR Motorsports Park, and El Paso County Raceway. You can also get tickets for local ski resorts, major theme parks, and sporting events or find out about travel options.

14. Clune Arena

2168 Field House Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840

Phone

: 1 (719) 472-1895 Clune Arena is a multi-purpose sports complex located at USAFA. It seats nearly 6,000 people and hosts basketball games, wrestling, and volleyball.

15. SBR Motorsports Park

21430 Spencer Road Calhan, CO 80808

Phone

: 1 (719) 492-2635 SBR Motorsports Park is another one of those great Colorado Springs things to do with kids. Adrenaline junkies also love to hit up this outdoor go-kart racing track. SBR Motorsports Park also has programs for corporate and private groups, schools for high-performance racing, and a championship series.

16. El Paso County Raceway

366 Tenth St. Calhan, CO 80808

Phone

: 1 (720) 404-0400 Down to get dirty? Hit up the El Paso County Raceway, and you’ll be finding dirt in your hair for weeks after. Dirt track racing is one of those cheap things to do in Colorado Springs that will be a huge hit for the whole family. There’s also free kids face painting, bike races for the kids, live music, food and drinks, and a ton of other activities.

17. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Phone

: 1 (719) 633-9925 Touted as the highest zoo in America, The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sits at over 6,700 feet above sea level. The zoo was founded in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose to house his growing collection of exotic animals. That tradition continues today, as there are more than 30 species of endangered animals to experience at the zoo.

18. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

111 W. Cimarron St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Phone

: 1 (719) 368-8480 Affiliated with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Championship League club is one of the most fun things to do in Colorado Springs indoors. As of 2021, soccer fans started facing opponents in a new downtown stadium called Weidner Field.

19. Memorial Skate Park

1315 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Phone

: 1 (719) 385-5940 Not your traditional park, Memorial Park consists of a 40,000-square-foot skate park. The park is filled with tons of great ramps, inclines, and edges for doing a ton of tricks on your skateboard, inline skates, or BMX bikes.

20. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center

1 Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Phone

: 1 (719) 866-4618 The best amateur athletes in the area train in this unique sporting facility. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center is an ideal facility to train for boxing, cycling, figure skating, gymnastics, shooting, and more. The center is regularly named in the list of best things to do in Colorado Springs, CO. Tours of the complex are also available.

Museums

21. May Natural History Museum

710 Rock Creek Canyon Road Colorado Springs, CO 80926

Phone

: 1 (719) 576-0450 Don’t get bugged out. The May Museum is known as Colorado Springs’s bug museum. Interested in seeing a bug? They’ve probably got it! There are roughly 7,000 species of butterflies, giant tropical insects, spiders, moths, beetles, and more at this buggy museum.

22. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

215 S. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Phone

: 1 (719) 385 5990 As you’d expect, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is dedicated to sharing the cultural history of the area. There are standard exhibits at the museum, including the history of Colorado Springs told through objects, and an exhibit dedicated to women’s history.

23. National Museum of World War II Aviation

775 Aviation Way Colorado Springs, CO 80916

Phone

: 1 (719) 637-7559 The National Museum of World War II Aviation houses a huge collection of artifacts and historical documents from the second world war. The museum opened in 2012 and features 28 fully restored flying aircraft and a variety of operational vehicles used by armed forces and their allies during the war.

24. World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame

20 First St. Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Phone

: 1 (719) 635-5200 The World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame explores the history, science, and art of figure skaters. World Figure Skating Museum exhibits showcase a peek into figure skating through the eyes of Andy Warhol, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and Hendrik Averkamp.

25. Littleton Farm Museum

6028 S. Gallup St. Littleton, CO 80120

Phone

: 1 (303) 795-3950 Get a glimpse of Littleton’s past and present within the Littleton Farm Museum. The 40-acre museum sits near Ketring Lake. Within it, you’ll find a children’s interactive gallery, research center, lecture hall, exhibition galleries, and, as the museum name suggests, two living history farm sites. The Littleton Farm Museum is a great family outing, as kids are fascinated by the animals on the farm sites.

Conclusion

Being connected to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs means you’ll have an array of great places to explore indoors and out. The changing seasons ensure that the experiences will change with the weather. And while downtime can be a premium, you’ll have no shortage of options to occupy your time.

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